Amusement apparatus.



No. 716,755. v Patented Dec. 23, |902.

E. F. PORTER.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

(Application led Feb. 17', 1902A 3 Sheds-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

WTHESEEE:

Patented nec. 23,1902.

un. nef/'55.

f F. PORTER.

AMUSEMENTAAPPARATUS.

@Application med Feb. 17, 1902.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Medel.)

No. 716,755; Pa'tnted nec..2a, |902.

`-|-:.- F. PORTER. y

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

(Applakion led Feb. 17, 1902.) 4 we mman.) l A 3 sheets-sheet' 3.

tirar-rn*v ^naar;nrt" rrrcn.

EDWIN E. PORTER., OF DOROHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF TIVO- THIRDSTO ARTHUR. G. WELLMAN, OF WINOHESTER, AND WILLIAM H. BRYANT, OF REVERE,MASSACHUSETTS.

AM-Usi-:MEN'T APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,755, dated December23, 1902.

Application tiled February 17, 1902. Serial No. 94,355. (No model.) I

To @ZZ whom t may con/067%:- said platform and a gate in said fence,said 5o Be it known -that I, EDWIN E. PORTER, a gate constituting aswitch arranged to make subject of the King of Great Britain, residingand break an electric circuit operatively conat Dorchester, in thecounty of Suffolk and `nected withY the motor in the car; and, fur-State of Massachusettahave invented newl ther, the invention consists inattaching to and useful Improvements in Amusement .Apsaid gate a hookedstop which is so arranged paratus, of which the followingis aspeciiicaas to engage and look the car in a fixed position. I tion whenthe gate is open and the circuit This invention relates to an amusementap` broken. ro paratus, and more especially toV that class of Theinvention finally consists in the coinamusement apparatus in which aseries of bination and arrangement of parts set forth 6o cars orcarriages of any desired shape and dein the following specification andparticularlyv sign are supported uponarotary carrier-frame pointed outin the claims thereof.

and eacli car supplied with means for apply- Referring to the drawings,Figure 1 is a 15 ing power in order that the saine may be rofrontelevation of my improved amusement tated together with saidcarrier-frame. apparatus, the same being shown as con- The object of theinvention is to provide, in structed with four cars; but this number mayan apparatus of the character described, a beincreased or diminishedwithout-departing strong, durable, and safe apparatus in which from Vthespirit of my invention. Fig. 2 is a zo the carsV or carriages not onlyare supplied detail plan of the platform of the apparatus,

with means by which the riders may propel together with the four cars,showingsaid cars 7o the saine in a circular path, but are also sovlocked in position and the gates upon the four constructed that they maybe' swung outmain supports of the framework being shown Wardly from saidcarrier-frame center by cenopen. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed plan of25 trifugal force as the carrier-frame increases one of the cars,together with a portion ofthe its speed of rotation. By graduating theplatform and the fencesurrounding said platspeed of the niotor theoccupants of the car form, with one-'of the gates shown open and mayvary the path of said car from a perfect the means connected to saidgate locking the circle to a curvilinear path, and thus impart car inposition. Fig. 4 is a diagram View of 3o variety tothe amusement andproduce somethe electrical connections whereby power is what thesensation of flying experienced in supplied to an electric motor carriedby said 8o flying through the air. car. Fig. 5 is a plan view, upon areduced The invention consists, in an apparatus of scale, of thecarrier-frame shown in Fig. 1. the character described, ofacarrier-frame ar- Like numerals refer to like parts through- `5 rangedto rotateinahorizontal plane, aswingout the several views ofY thedrawings.

ing frame pivotally suspended from beneath In the drawings, 10 is avertical framework, 85 said carrier-frame in such a manner as to4preferably constructed of angle-iron cornerswing radially outwardtherefrom, a car fast supports 11 11, joined together by braces 12 tosaid swinging frame, a motor carried by` 12 and having a horizontalplatform 13 sur 4o said car, and a cylindrical platform located roundingthe same and provided with stairinside the path of rotation of andarranged ways le 14, by which said platform is reached 9o to contactwith said car and forming a brakfrom the ground. In the center of theframe ing means. 10 is provided a vertical shaft 15, which is Theinvention again consists in certain arranged to rotate in bearings 16 16and in a 45 novel means for stopping and locking the carpedestal-bearing 17. The bearings 16 16 are in a xed position to saidplatform. preferably roller-bearings and the pedestal- The inventionagain consists in the instrubearing 17 a ball-bearing to reduce theVfricmentalities set forth, in combination with a tion. fence locatedupon and extending around A carrier-frame 1S is fastened to the upperend of the shaft 15. Said carrier-frame is preferably constructed ofiron or steel and is cylindrical, provided with an annular ange 19, andbeing strengthened and rendered perfectly firm by stay-rods 20. Theswinging frames 21 are pivotally supported upon the iiange 19 of saidcarrier-frame, as shown in Fig. 1. The said swinging frames 21 arepreferably constructed of two wire ropes, cables, or rods 22 22, whichcross each other diagonally and are joined together at the crossingpointby a fastening 23 of any desired construction. The upper ends of therods 22 are each formed with an eye 24, said eyes being supported instaples 25, fast to the ange 19. It will be noted that the staples 25are equidistant from the center of the carrier-frame 18 and that theyare so arranged and located with relation to the eyes 24 that while.said swinging frames can swing outwardly from their normal position(shown in Fig. 1)-viz., in a vertical plane tangential to saidcarrierframe, as shown in dotted lines-said frames cannot swingtangentially to said carrierframe, being supported upon their upper endsn pon the staples 25 at two points a considerable distance apart. Eachof the swinging frames 2l has a car or carriage 26, rigidly fastenedthereto by supporting-braces 27. The cars 26 are each provided with anelectric motor 28, which imparts a rotary motion to a fanpropellingwheel 29. Said motor is electrically connected through the swingingframes 21, carrier-frame 18, and frameworklO to a dynamo or other sourceof electric power, as hereinhefore described. Themotors 28 are arrangedto be operated by an attendant from the platform 13, and the rapidrotation imparted by said electric motors to the propel- 1ers 29 forcesthe several cars in a curvilinear path in the direction of the arrow,Fig. 2. Normally, as hereinbefore set forth, the

swinging frames 21 will hang suspended in a vertical plane tangential tothe carrier-frame 18; but as the speed of rotation of thecarrier-frameincreases the swinging frames and the cars carried thereby will be swungoutward radially from the center of said carrier-frame to the positionshown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. When the motors are slowed up byshutting off the current, the cars, together with the swinging frames,will descend to the position shown in full lines, Fig. 1, the sides ofsaid cars coming in contact with the periphery of the platform 13, whichwill assist in stopping the cars through friction with the periphery ofsaid platform, and, moreover, at each of the points where it is desiredthat the car should stop a slight projection 30 is provided withinclinedends 31 and preferably covered with leather 32 to increase the frictionbetween said platform and the side of said car.

Around the platform 13, near the periphery thereof, is provided a fence33. Said fence is provided with rotary gates 34, one gate being providedfor each car. Said gates are fast to a rotary shaft 35, which projectsbeneath the platform 13 and has fastened thereto a hooked stop-arm 36,arranged to engage an arm 37, rigidly fastened to the car and providedwitha hole 38, through which said hooked arm projects when the car is inthe proper position, and thus positively locks said car in Ipositionwhen the gate is open. This gate and lock form a safety device, and asan raditional means of safety each of the gates is in electric circuitwith the wires connecting the different motors to the dynamo andconstitute switches so arranged that when the gates are open, or any ofthem, the electric circuit is broken and when all are closed theelectric circuit is made.

The wires forming the electric circuit are illustrated in diagram inFig. 4, in which the wire 39 passes from the dynamo or battery through abrush 40 to the shaft 15 and thence through the carrier-frame 18,swinging frame 21, and wire 47 to the motor 28, returning through thewire 41, brush 42, wire 43, wire 44, and through the different switches45,

`formed by the gates, as hereinbefore described, and wire 46 to thebattery or dynamo through which the circuitis completed. Any desiredform of switch may be introduced in the electric circuit to make orbreak the same independent of the switches 45.

The general operation of my improved amusement apparatus is as follows:Assuming the cars to be in the position shown in Figs.1 and2 and theoccupants seated therein, an attendant closes each of the gates 34, thuswithdrawing the hooked arm 36 from the hole 38in the arm 37 upon the car26 and completing the electric circuitby means of the switches 45,operated by said gates. The apparatus is now in condition to be started.The attendant completes the circuit with the switch provided for thepurpose. The motor rotates the fan-wheels 29, and the cars, togetherwiththe carrier-frame 18, are rotated in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2.As the speed increases the cars and the swinging frames 2l swingoutwardly from the action of centrifugal force, and as the current isshut 0E and the motors stop said cars gradually come to the positionshown in Fig. 1, the sides of the cars engaging the incline 3l upon theprojections 30, fast to the periphery of the platform 13. As the carapproaches the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the attendants throw thegates open and the hooked arm engages the arm 36 upon each of the cars,thus holding and locking the cars in position while the occupants alighttherefrom and new occupants enter.

lt is an important feature of my invention that the platform from whichthe occupant enters the car should be raised above the height of a manshead, and also the cars should be raised so that the lowest portion ofthe propeller 29 shall not strike any person passing beneath the car. Itis rendered especially necessary, on account of the safety IOO IIO

of ,the public, that this feature should be incorporated in apparatus ofthe nature hereinbefore described,las it is evident thatif the cars wereplaced near the ground, so that people could step into them, the samewould constitute an element of danger, as the cars swing out more orless, as hereinbefore described, owing to centrifugal force. lt istherefore a necessity that the cars should be raised above the height ofa nians head, so that they may pass over people standing uponr theground without causing any injury, and in order to do this l haveprovided a raised platform 13, so that people may pass under theplatform and up the stairway 14 through the opening in the platform, andthus be brought to a height sufficient to step from the platform intothe car.

It is evident that the hooked arm for locking the car in a stationaryposition might be placed upon the car and a fixed arm 37 placed upon theplatform or its supports without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim, and desire by LettersPatent to secure, is-- l. In an apparatus of the character described, acarrier-frame arranged to rotate in a horizontal plane, a swinging framepivotally suspended from beneath said carrierframe in such a manner asto swing radially outward therefrom, a car fast to said swinging frame,means to prevent said swinging frame from swinging tangentially inrelation to said carrier-frame, a motor carried by said car, astationary platform located inside the path of rotation of said car, anda stop located upon said platform, near the periphery thereof, andarranged to engage said carand lock the same to said stationaryplatform..

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizontal plane, a swinging frame pivotally suspendedfrom beneath said carrierfraine in such a manner as to swing radiallyoutward therefrom, a car fast to said swinging frame, means to preventsaid swinging frame from swinging tangentially in relation l to saidcarrier-frame, a motor carried by said car, a stationary platformlocated inside the path of rotation of said car, and a stop piv-l otedupon said platform, near the periphery thereof, and arranged to engagesaid car and lock the same to said stationary platform.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizontal plane, a swinging frame pivotally suspendedfrom beneath said carrierframe in such a manner as to swing radiallyoutward therefrom, a car fast to said swinging frame, means to preventsaid swinging frame from swinging tangentiallyin relation to saidcarrier-frame, a motor carried by said car, a stationary platformlocated inside the path of rotation of said car, and a hooked stoppivoted to said platform, near the periphery thereof, and arranged toengage said car and lock the same to said stationary platform.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizontal plane, a swinging frame pivotally suspendedfrom beneath said carrierframe in such a manner to swing radiallyoutward therefrom, a car fast to said swinging frame, means topreventsaid swinging frame from swinging langentially in relation tosaid carrier-frame, a motor carried by said car, a stationary platformlocated inside the path of rotation of said car, a fence located uponthe top of said platform and extending therearound, a rotary gate insaid fence, and a hooked stop pivoted to said platform, near theperiphery thereof, and operated by said gate to engage said car and lockthe same to said stationary platform.

InV an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arranged torotate in a horizontal plane, a car pivot-ally suspended from beneathsaid carrier-frame in such a manner as to swing radially outwardtherefrom, means to prevent said car from swinging tangentially inrelation to said carrierframe, a motor carried by said car in electriccircuit witha source of power, a platform located inside the path ofrotation of said car, a fence located upon the top of said platform andextending therearound, a gate in said fence, said gate constituting aswitch in said circuit and arranged to break said circuit when open, andto vmake said circuit when closed.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizont-al plane, a car pivotally suspended from beneathsaid carrier-frame in such a manner as to swing radially outwardtherefrom, means to prevent said car from swinging tangenti-ally inrelation to said carrierframe, a motor carried by said'car in electriccircuit with a source of power, a platform located inside the path ofrotation of said car, a fence located upon the top of said platform andextending therearound, a. gate in' said fence, said gate constituting aswitch in said circuit and arranged' to break said circuit when open andto make said circuit when closed, and a hooked stop connectedrto androtated by said gate and arranged to engage and lock said car in a xedposition.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizontal plane, a swinging frame pivotally suspendedfrom beneath said carrierframe in such a manner as to swing radiallyoutward therefrom, a car fast to said swing-4 path of rotation of saidcar and arranged to contact with said car, and frictional projectionsfast to the periphery of said platform IIO IZO

and constituting a braking means whereby said car is brought to astationary position.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizontal plane, a swinging frame pivotally suspendedfrom beneath said carrierframe in such a manner as to swing radiallyoutward therefrom, a car fast to said swinging frame, a motor carried bysaid car, and a cylindrical platform located inside the path of rotationof and arranged to contact with said car and forming a braking means.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizontal piane, a swinging frame pivotally suspendedfrom beneath said carrierframe in such a manner as to swing radiallyoutward therefrom, a car fast to said swinging frame, a motor carried bysaid car, a stationary platform located inside the path of rotation ofsaid car, a stop located upon said platform, near the periphery thereof,and arranged to engage said car and lock the same to said stationaryplatform.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizontal plane, a swinging frame pivotally suspendedfrom beneath said carrierframe in such a manner as to swing radiallyoutward therefrom, a car fast to said'swinging frame, a motor carried bysaid car, a stationary platform located inside the path of rotation ofsaid car, a stop pivoted upon said platform, near the periphery thereof,and arranged to engage said car and lock the same to said stationaryplatform.

ll. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizontal plane, a swinging frame pivotally suspendedfrom beneath said carrierframe in such a manner as to swing radiallyoutward therefrom, a car fast to said swinging frame, a motor carried bysaid car, a stationary platform located inside the path of rotation ofsaid car, and a hooked stop pivoted to said platform, near the peripherythereof, and arranged to engage said car and lock the same to saidstationary platform.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizontal plane, a swinging frame pivotally suspendedfrom beneath said carrierframe in such a manner as to swing radiallyoutward therefrom, a car fast to said swinging frame, a motor carried bysaid car, a platform located inside the path of rotation of said car, afence extending around said platform, a rotary gate, and a hooked stopconnectedy to and rotated by said gate and arranged to engage and locksaid bar in a fixed position.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-'framearranged to rotatein a horizontal plane, a car pivotally suspended frombeneath said carrier-frame in such a manner as to swing radially outwardtherefrom, a motor carried by said car in electric circuit with a sourceof power, a platform located inside the path of rotation of said car, afence extending around said platform, a gate in said fence, said gateconstituting a switch in said circuit and arranged to break said circuitwhen open, and to make said circuit when closed.

let. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-framearranged to rotate in a horizontal plane, a car pivotally suspended frombeneath said carrier-frame in such a manner as to swing radially outwardtherefrom, a motor carried by said car in electric circuit with a sourceof power, a platform located inside the path of rotation of said car, afence extending around said platform, a gate in said fence, said gateconstituting a switch iu-said circuit and arranged to break said circuitwhen open and to make said circuit when closed, and a hooked stopconnected to and rotated by said gate and arranged to engage and locksaid car in a fixed position.

l5. In an apparatus of the character described, a carrier-frame arrangedto rotate in a horizontalplane, a swinging frame pivotally suspendedfrom beneath said carrierframe in such a manner as to swing radiallyloutward therefrom, a car fast to said swinging frame, a motor carriedby ysaid car, a cylindricalplatform located inside the path of rotationof said car arranged to contact with said car, and frictionalprojections fast to the periphery of said platform and constituting abraking means whereby said car is brought to a stationary position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ED WIN F. PORTER.

Witnesses:

CHARLES S. GooDING, ANNIE J. DAILEY.

IOO

